Feds Block Massive Hydroelectric Project Near Lake Elsinore Again

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A massive hydroelectric project proposed to span through the Cleveland National Forest — west of Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Murrieta and Temecula — has once again been blocked by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

On Thursday, the federal agency issued a decision saying it would not rehear arguments from Vista-based Nevada Hydro LLC about its project application and the company's request for a stay was denied.

The company sought another hearing on its application to build the "Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project," otherwise known as LEAPS. In a Dec. 9 dismissal letter to Nevada Hydro, the feds said the company failed to provide the U.S. Forest Service with required studies and a construction plan for the project.

In Thursday's FERC statement, the agency said that at the time of the Dec. 9 decision, "despite more than four years passing since Nevada Hydro filed its license application, the application had still not been determined ready for environmental analysis.

"Moreover, a plan and schedule for completing the studies and monthly progress reports have been required since November 2019 and Nevada Hydro has, to date, still made no such filing ...," the federal agency wrote.

If built, the LEAPS project would generate electricity onto the state's electrical grid, but it would require installing 32 miles of 500 kV transmission lines and towers through the Cleveland National Forest from Lake Elsinore to Camp Pendleton. The project would also consist of reservoirs with a set of tunnels running between them: the water in Lake Elsinore would serve as a lower reservoir; an upper reservoir would be constructed in the Cleveland National Forest at Decker Canyon (just south of state Route 74). A pump/powerhouse facility would also be built near the lake, on the west side of Grand Avenue near Lakeland Village.

The city of Lake Elsinore, the county, the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, environmental groups, and many local residents have long opposed the project that has seen different iterations dating back decades. Dam safety issues, wildfire dangers, visual and public safety impacts from transmission lines, traffic and construction impacts, and disturbance of sensitive habitat areas are among the concerns.

According to Nevada Hydro documents filed with FERC, the project will be "an important addition to the California grid."

It's not clear what Nevada Hydro will do next; company officials could not be reached for comment.